Knackered

Knackered is a British slang term that describes a state of extreme tiredness, exhaustion, or fatigue. It conveys a feeling of being physically and/or mentally worn out, often to the point of being unable or unwilling to do anything more. The term suggests a profound lack of energy and a need for rest or sleep. It can also be used to describe something that is broken, worn out, or no longer functioning properly, as in 'the machine is knackered'. The intensity of the exhaustion conveyed by knackered can vary depending on the context and inflection used.

Knackered meaning with examples

• After hiking all day, I was absolutely knackered. My legs ached, and all I wanted was to collapse on the sofa with a cup of tea. I couldn't even manage to change out of my boots before falling asleep, completely worn out by the exertion. The fresh air helped, but wasn't enough.
• The kids were knackered after playing outside all afternoon. They were bickering and dragging their feet. They'd run out of energy and were begging for snacks and an early bedtime. It’s a natural result of being active all day in the sun playing games and sports with friends.
• After working a double shift at the restaurant, Sarah was completely knackered. She could barely stay awake on the bus home, dreading the thought of having to cook dinner. She'd be lucky to fall into a proper sleep to wake up well rested. Time to call it a day.
• My old car is completely knackered; it keeps breaking down every few miles. I've spent so much money trying to fix it, and nothing seems to work. It’s time to scrap it. It costs more to fix it than it’s worth now.
• The marathon runners looked utterly knackered as they crossed the finish line. They could barely stand, let alone speak. They'd pushed themselves to their physical limits and it was very clear. They'd put their bodies through something quite remarkable.